A Fun Intro to Dentistry
Every time Kira Carr of Class of 2029 steps into an elementary classroom, she brings a giant plastic mouth, an oversized toothbrush—and instant curiosity. She shows kids how to brush in circles and offers quick, memorable tips, like humming the ABCs twice for the top teeth and twice for the bottom. She snaps a playful “tooth selfie” to describe dental X-rays and demonstrates tools like the dental explorer, or, as she explains, the dentist’s toothpick. Most of all, she cheers on each student, so dentistry feels fun.
Carr, a first year dental student at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, gives these presentations through Smile DC/Smile MA, which she co-founded before coming to dental school. In 2023, she started calling schools one by one, introducing herself to principals, teachers, and office staff. Once she visited a classroom, the word spread quickly. In just two years, she reached 42 classrooms across kindergarten through second grade, presenting to more than 900 students. Now, she single-handedly runs the whole operation.
Carr’s own interest in dentistry began in high school, when she completed an online college course during COVID 19 closures. “I fell in love with dentistry,” she said. “I've always loved my science classes, working with my hands, and connecting with people.”
She studied health promotion at American University, a background that fuels her focus on prevention. “It’s really important to get at the root cause of dental problems—start the habits early so brushing and flossing become a little bit easier,” she explained.
A summer internship at Boston Children’s Hospital solidified her career path and laid the foundation for Smile DC/Smile MA. Watching dentists describe stainless steel crowns as “Iron Man shields” or “princess crowns” showed her how creativity can turn fear into fun—the core of her mission now with her outreach efforts.
Carr starts her presentations with the basics of what dentists do, how cavities form, and how brushing and flossing help prevent them. Wearing her scrubs, she describes what kids will see at a dental appointment—matching uniforms, glasses, comfy chairs, and gentle tools. “My hope is that they're a little more used to what they're seeing,” she said. “It definitely can be an overwhelming experience when you first go to the dentist.”
Children then practice brushing on models marked with an erasable marker—one partner cleans the top teeth, the other the bottom. Next comes tooth bingo, using a smiling cartoon tooth on which Carr pre-drew spirals with a marker. Every student eventually calls bingo and receives a prize. She also hands out hygiene bags, stickers, a take-home infographic, and a brushing calendar to help students build lasting habits.
“I really love that every time, students are always telling me stories about their own experiences at the dentist and are so excited to answer questions,” she said.
Carr hopes to launch a New Jersey chapter, Smile NJ, and her long-term goal is to become a pediatric dentist.
“My hope is that the joy students experience in the Smile program becomes the confidence and care they carry into their own smiles every day,” she said.
